Hepatitis D (Delta agent)
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Delta agent
Hepatitis D is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (previously called the Delta agent). It causes symptoms only in people who also have hepatitis B infection.
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Causes
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is found only in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make liver disease worse in people who have either recent (acute) or long-term (chronic) hepatitis B. It can even cause symptoms in people who carry hepatitis B virus but who never had symptoms.
Hepatitis D infects about 15 million people worldwide. It occurs in a small number of people who carry hepatitis B.
Risk factors include:
- Being infected while pregnant (the mother can pass the virus to the baby)
- Carrying the hepatitis B virus
- Men having sexual intercourse with other men
- Receiving many blood transfusions
- Using intravenous (IV) or injection drugs
Symptoms
Hepatitis D may make the symptoms of hepatitis B worse.
Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Exams and Tests
You may need the following tests:
- Anti-hepatitis D antibody
- Liver biopsy
- Liver enzymes (blood test)
Treatment
Many of the medicines used to treat hepatitis B are not helpful for treating hepatitis D.
You may receive a medicine called alpha interferon for up to 12 months if you have a long-term HDV infection. A liver transplant for end-stage chronic hepatitis B may be effective.
Outlook (Prognosis)
People with an acute HDV infection most often get better over 2 to 3 weeks. Liver enzyme levels return to normal within 16 weeks.
About 1 in 10 of those who are infected may develop long-term (chronic) liver inflammation (hepatitis).
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Chronic active hepatitis
- Acute liver failure
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatitis B.
Prevention
Steps to prevent the condition include:
- Detect and treat hepatitis B infection as soon as possible to help prevent hepatitis D.
- Avoid intravenous (IV) drug abuse. If you use IV drugs, avoid sharing needles.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Adults who are at high risk for hepatitis B infection and all children should get this vaccine. If you do not get Hepatitis B, you cannot get Hepatitis D.
Related Information
| Hepatitis BLiver diseaseAsymptomaticSubstance use | Hepatitis - InDept... |
References
Alves VAF. Acute viral hepatitis. In: Saxena R, ed. Practical Hepatic Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 13.
Ghany MG. Hepatitis D. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 81.
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA. Hepatitis viruses. In: Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA, eds. Medical Microbiology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.
Thio CL, Hawkins C. Hepatitis delta virus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 146.
